EMERGENCY RULES 
 
 An agency may adopt a new or amended section or repeal an existing section on 
an emergency basis if it determines that such action is necessary for the public 
health, safety, or welfare of this state. The section may become effective 
immediately upon filing with the  Texas Register, or on a stated date less than 
20 days after filing and remaining in effect no more than 120 days. The 
emergency action is renewable once for no more than 60 additional days. 
  Symbology in amended emergency sections. New language added to an existing 
section is indicated by the use of  bold text. [Brackets] indicate deletion of 
existing material within a section. 
 
   
  TITLE 43. TRANSPORTATION 
 Part I. Texas Department of Transportation 
  Chapter 1. Management 
  
  Advisory Committees 
 
  43 TAC sec.1.85 
 
  The Texas Department of Transportation adopts on an emergency basis an 
amendment to sec.1.85, concerning department advisory committees. 
 Section 1.85(a) is amended by adding paragraph (18) to establish a Hurricane 
Evacuation Route Task Force to advise and recommend design criteria and 
selection/prioritization of hurricane evacuation routes. Advice and 
recommendations of the task force will provide the department and the Texas 
Transportation Commission with an enhanced understanding of local concerns in 
the development of hurricane evacuation routes, thus facilitating the 
department's and the commission's goal to promote transportation decisions with 
public input, at the local, regional, and state levels, and to invest in cost-
effective transportation projects and programs employing innovations that 
increase safety, access, and mobility for the transportation of people and goods 
in emergency situations. 
 It is necessary to amend sec.1.85(a)(18) on an emergency basis to allow 
expedient planning for hurricane evacuation prior to the next hurricane season, 
thereby protecting the vital interests, safety, and welfare of the travelling 
public. 
 The emergency amendment is adopted under Texas Civil Statutes, Article 6666, 
which provide the Texas Transportation Commission with the authority to 
establish rules for the conduct of the work of the Texas Department of 
Transportation, and more specifically by Texas Civil Statutes, Article 6252-33, 
which provide that a state agency advised by and advisory committee shall adopt 
rules that state the purpose of the committee and describe the task of the 
committee and the manner in which the committee will report to the agency. 
 
 
  sec.1.85. Department of Advisory Committee. 
 
  (a) Creation. The following committees are established as department advisory 
committees. 
 
  (1)-(17) (No change.) 
   
  <nl>(18) Hurricane Evacuation Route Task Force. 
 
  <nl>(A) Purpose. The purpose of the Hurricane Evacuation Route Task Force is 
to advise and recommend design criteria and selection/prioritization of 
hurricane evacuation routes to the department and the commission. The task force 
membership includes department employees with expertise in coastal issues, 
district engineers in coastal districts, and citizen representatives of coastal 
areas, thereby broadening input into the design and selection/prioritization of 
evacuation routes. Advice and recommendations of the task force provide the 
department and the commission with an enhanced understanding of local concerns 
in the development of hurricane evacuation routes, thus facilitating the 
department's and the commission's goal to promote transportation decisions with 
public input, at the local, regional, and state level, and to invest in cost-
effective transportation projects and programs employing innovations that 
increase safety, access, and mobility for the transportation of people and goods 
in emergency situations. 
   
  <nl>(B) Duties. The task force shall advise the department and the commission 
concerning: 
 
  <nl>(i)<nl> design criteria for hurricane evacuation routes: and 
   
  <nl>(ii)<nl> selection and prioritization of candidate hurricane evacuation 
routes. 
     
  <nl>(C) Manner of reporting. The task force shall report its advise and 
recommendations to a district engineer appointed by the executive director. 
       
  (b)-(c) (No change.) 
 
  Issued in Austin, Texas, on April 14, 1994. 
 TRD-9439158 
  Diane L. Northam 
 Legal Executive Assistant 
 Texas Department of Transportation 
    Effective date: April 14, 1994 
 Expiration date: August 14, 1994 
 For further information, please call: (512) 463-8630